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False Cognates and Falsos Amigos

Spanish Cognates

Cognates are words that have a similar spelling and similar meaning in two languages. False cognates, often called falsos amigos, look similar in both both languages but they don’t share similar meanings. It’s not surprising that these false cognates are often falsely used. They will fake you out much like a fake friend will fake you out. I don’t want you to be false or fake. I want you to say what you mean and mean what you say. Here are some of the most common false Spanish cognates:

Spanish Noun

English Meaning

English Noun

Spanish Meaning

arena

sand

arena

estadio

carpeta

folder

carpet

alfombra

colegio

high school

college

universidad

costumbre

custom

costume

disfraz

decepción

disappointment

deception

engaño

disgusto

argument

disgust

asco, repugnancia

éxito

success

exit

salida

idioma

language

idiom

modismo

librería

bookstore

library

biblioteca

parientes

relatives, kinfolk

parents

padres

snetencia

verdict, sentence

sentence

frase, oración

vaso

glass

vase

florero

Those are just a few of the false cognates or falsos amigos. Practice using them correctly. It is very common for people to use these words incorrectly. Set yourself apart from those people. Be better. Have you made any of these mistakes? Now you know better. Good luck!